A friend lent me the book this movie was based on quite some time ago. Honestly, it sat on my desk for quite a while. Then, last night I watched the movie and today, read half the book at one sitting. The movie is that good!

Two boys grow up in Afghanistan, one whose family owns the home, the other whose family works in it. Unbeknownst to them both, they are actually half brothers, but this isn’t discovered until one of them has died. Still, somehow, the wealthier young boy feels a competition with the servant child for his father’s affection. This leads him to make a tragic decision in ignoring a dire situation the other boy finds himself in.

A heart wrenching movie that is one of those films you feel is a classic and will stand the test of time from the very beginning. What other story can mix liberal and conservative Muslim culture, Rumi, and kite flying all in one telling? I expect to watch this every year or so for quite some time.